Photo By Chief Petty Officer Kegan Kay | 170429-N-OX321-010 U.S. 5TH FLEET AREA OF OPERATIONS (April 29, 2017) Assistant...... read more read more
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U.S. 5th Fleet Area of Operations – It is our history that shapes us and lays down the foundation of our future. Lt. j. g. Britt Zerbe understands this better than anyone as an Intelligence Officer aboard amphibious assault ship, USS Bataan (LHD 5), and a Doctorate of History.
While listing Albuquerque, New Mexico, as the city best encompasses his hometown, his mom would say;
“My mom would tell me that I’m a gypsy at heart,” stated Zerbe, a sentiment he fully agrees with and embraces.
Having earned his Bachelor’s degree in History at the University of New Mexico in 2004, Zerbe took an alternate route, going to Japan to teach English for two years.
His journey didn’t stop there as he attended the University of Exeter in Devonshire, England to obtain his Master’s in History in 2007, and was invited to stay and join the doctorate program, which Zerbe happily agreed to and completed in 2010.
Over the next three years, Zerbe spent his time as a professor, guest lecturer of Modern Europe History and specifically English history. His love for English history evolved in writing a book about the Royal Marines showcasing his passion for naval history as well.
An opportunity to combine the past and present was Zerbe’s favorite moment during his time in England as it led him to the HMS Victory, a war ship turned museum, famous for being the flag ship of Admiral Horatio Lord Nelson during the Battle of Trafalgar, similar to the U.S. Navy’s USS Constitution.
“I actually got to sit and eat where Admiral Nelson did,” recalls Zerbe about his visit to the HMS Victory and the almost surreal moment. “I was sitting between the Director of the National Museum of the Royal Navy and the commander of the Victory, Royal Navy Capt. Oscar Wilde. We even ate a typical 18th century meal like Nelson would have eaten during his time.”
This continued passion for history and especially naval history has served Zerbe well and helped to influence his decision to join the Navy.
The hiring of professors was in an off season when Zerbe returned to the U.S. in 2013, and during this time he decided it was a perfect for change of direction in life and went to speak to a Navy recruiter.
Going into a recruiter’s office and already having a PhD under his belt, Zerbe was easily accepted and sent to Officer Candidate School for commission as an Intelligence Officer.
“I use a lot of the same skills I did the academia world,” explained Zerbe, regarding his new field. “I take a lot information and then compress it down for others.”
Working intelligence varies in others ways and provides enough variety to keep Zerbe’s “gypsy heart” satisfied.
“You’ll never be pigeon-holed,” said Zerbe.
While the basics of the job stay the same, the mission and requirements of different commands impact how they are utilized and change the focus of the job.
While currently working as the Assistant Intelligence Officer on USS Bataan, Zerbe will soon move on to his next command, the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency, whose mission, according to their website is, “provide the fullest possible accounting for our missing personnel to the families and the nation.”
This new assignment will be another avenue for Zerbe to utilize his background in history and bring the past and present together.
“The world is always changing,” reflects Zerbe. “Because of that, the intelligence world is also always changing and I love that.”
As far as the future is concerned, Zerbe’s only plan is to do the best he can for as long as he can while in the Navy, stating he is happy where he is at and plans to serve a full 20 years or more.
| Date Taken: | 05.19.2017 |
| Date Posted: | 05.19.2017 03:47 |
| Story ID: | 234413 |
| Location: | U.S. 5TH FLEET AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY |
| Web Views: | 67 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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